The Legend Of The Hermès Birkin
The Birkin effect: an accidental icon turned into a big ticket flex
Have you ever wondered what could be roomy enough to fit your wallet, house keys, and maybe a snack or water bottle, but cost the equivalent of an apartment in London and a couple of years' salary? Well, that’d be the Hermès Birkin bag. If you didn’t know, now you know, the Birkin has graduated from being just another handbag to capturing the fashion zeitgeist and developing a reputation for itself both inside and outside the world of luxury.
Long waiting lists, high price tags and A-list clientele have only added to its status, solidifying it as one of the most in-demand items of its time. But where did the Birkin story begin?
Imagine a scenario straight out of a rom-com — chic Londoner, Jane Birkin, was carrying her handbag onboard a flight only to have its contents spill all over the cabin. In a fashion-fuelled twist of fate, fellow passenger Jean-Louis Dumas, the then CEO of Hermès, was sitting next to her as she casually mentions her dream of owning a bag that fits all her essentials and looks good. Subtle, luxe, but good good. And that's how the Birkin was born.
If you think this story is too good to be true, well, you’re wrong. This actually happened and that was how Jane Birkin became fashion’s eternal muse. Speaking to T: The New York Times Style Magazine in 2010, Birkin said: “Just as I was saying how I wish Hermès would make a bag that could fit all my things, the man sitting next to me happened to work for Hermès – it was Jean-Louis Dumas, the head designer!”
With its square shape, short handles, and signature buckle fastenings, the Birkin Bag oozes elegance and exclusivity. It's available in an array of colours and materials, but this bag is rarer than a four-leaf clover in a field of three-leaf ones.
For real, it's harder to pin down than spotting a unicorn at a tea party. The high demand and elusive nature is what keeps people coming back for more, driving up that hype factor that's made it the VIP accessory of choice. Owning a Birkin is a big flex. The bigger the Birkin, the better the flex.
Getting your hands on a hand-buffed artisan Birkin Bag is akin to catching a shooting star — it requires a blend of influence and sheer luck. You have to be on a hush-hush waiting list as it is not sold online, and you better kiss the ass of your local atelier if you want to be in with a chance of buying one of these bad boys brand new.
That, or you have to be a big spender with a black Amex that Hermès know can foot the bill.
The Birkin has cemented its clout by infiltrating pop culture, with celebs flaunting their Birkins like it's no big deal. It puts them a cut above the rest. Whether that's Beyoncé singing about having Birkins in storage, Drake collecting them for his future wife or Cardi B gifting her daughter a $20,000 Birkin for her 5th birthday, for these peeps it's not just an accessory; it's an affirmation of status and style.
Recent data from Lyst shows that the demand for Hermès bags has skyrocketed, rising by 430% since 2020. And Hermès, the brand behind the Birkin, reported a 23% jump in sales in the first three months of 2023 with first-half earnings and second-quarter sales growth beating estimates. Its outperforming rivals such as LVMH and Richemont: this is the Birkin effect.
The Hermès resale market is booming too. Luxe resale companies like Vestiaire Collective estimate that the Birkin retains around 130% of its original value as they become investment pieces that appreciate over time, so buying one financially may be a smart move if you’ve got the cash to splash.
But the Birkin has something of a rags-to-riches story. In 1984, it debuted with a price tag of $2,000. Fast forward a couple of decades, and we've seen prices dance above $450,000 according to Sotheby’s. In 2018, a crocodile Birkin with 18-karat white gold and diamond features sold for £236,750, in 2019, Christie's sold a Birkin for £162,500, and in 2022, a vintage Birkin bag owned by Jane Birkin herself sold for £119,000 at Bonhams. It’s a very different look from its humble beginnings.
Legend has it that the artisans that craft the infamous Birkin bag undergo a five-year training regime, mastering traditional techniques that have made it the cult item it is today. Seems a little OTT if you ask me — but hey, who am I to judge? This gruelling process didn’t dissuade dedicated boyfriend Alexander Sway, however, as he went on to have a go at making his very own Birkin replica.
Sway whipped up a DIY Birkin for his girlfriend when she joked that they couldn’t afford the real thing, drawing inspiration from online tutorials, sheer determination and an unofficial pattern for a Birkin, with his TikTok video documenting the process racking up millions of views. This is love in the name of fashion, and this is a true big biggggg flex.
So, the tale of the Birkin is one that continues to evolve as it captivates the masses. From the Shadow Birkin to the So Black collection, owning one can be like trying to find Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. It’s a story of luxury, rarity, and a touch of magic. But is it worth the hype? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
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Good read, and interesting history of the Birkin. I love the look of the Birkin, but it’s for sure out of my budget. So the Lily & Bean dupe wins for me🤣